Sajjad sets sight on title after advancing to last-16
Pakistan cueist hits two century breaks to defeat China’s Zhao.
Asif beat Fung to move into the knockout stage of the Asian Snooker Championship, joining compatriots Sajjad, Humza and Saim in the last-16. PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Mohammad Sajjad emerged as a strong title contender at the Jubilee Insurance 29th Asian Snooker Championship as he hit two century breaks in a 4-2 rout of China’s Zhao Xin Tong to move into the knockout stage.
Sajjad showed no mercy for his opponent as he started off in grand fashion, winning the first frame that included a break of 126. However, Zhao won the next duel to make things even.
Sajjad retaliated immediately as he went on to hit a break of 134 – the highest till the second session of the day –to win with frame scores of 126 (126)-0, 16-104, 84-12, 44-73, 141 (134)-1 and 73-42.
The former Asian Championship runner-up said the win has given him a much-needed boost in confidence.
“This is the best I’ve played since 2010 and this has really boosted my confidence,” Sajjad told The Express Tribune. “Hitting two century breaks in a seven-frame match has given me considerable confidence. If I stick to my basics, I can beat anybody. I hope I can maintain this level of performance throughout the event.
“I’ve missed out on the Asian title once and that was painful, so it would be nice to achieve this title on home soil.”
Meanwhile Humza Akbar, Abu Saim and IBSF world amateur champion Mohammad Asif also qualified for the last-16.
Asif was involved in a close fight with Hong Kong’s Fung Kwok Wai, but eventually came out on top 4-3 with frame scores of 94 (93)-0, 09-74, 68-57, 73-53, 22-87, 1-116 (91) and 70-20.
Former Pakistan player Saleh Mohammad eased past Iran’s Aamir Sarkosh 4-1.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Yuttapop Pakpoj was involved in a tough seven-frame encounter against Iran’s Ehsan Heydarinezhad (Iran) but eventually won 4-3 while China’s Wang Yuchin won with a similar scoreline against Syria’s Karam Fatima.
In another match, Thailand’s PaBoonyarit Kaettikun beat Shahid Aftab 4-1, while local Babar Masih enjoyed two victories to keep his hopes alive of moving into the next round.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2013.
Mohammad Sajjad emerged as a strong title contender at the Jubilee Insurance 29th Asian Snooker Championship as he hit two century breaks in a 4-2 rout of China’s Zhao Xin Tong to move into the knockout stage.
Sajjad showed no mercy for his opponent as he started off in grand fashion, winning the first frame that included a break of 126. However, Zhao won the next duel to make things even.
Sajjad retaliated immediately as he went on to hit a break of 134 – the highest till the second session of the day –to win with frame scores of 126 (126)-0, 16-104, 84-12, 44-73, 141 (134)-1 and 73-42.
The former Asian Championship runner-up said the win has given him a much-needed boost in confidence.
“This is the best I’ve played since 2010 and this has really boosted my confidence,” Sajjad told The Express Tribune. “Hitting two century breaks in a seven-frame match has given me considerable confidence. If I stick to my basics, I can beat anybody. I hope I can maintain this level of performance throughout the event.
“I’ve missed out on the Asian title once and that was painful, so it would be nice to achieve this title on home soil.”
Meanwhile Humza Akbar, Abu Saim and IBSF world amateur champion Mohammad Asif also qualified for the last-16.
Asif was involved in a close fight with Hong Kong’s Fung Kwok Wai, but eventually came out on top 4-3 with frame scores of 94 (93)-0, 09-74, 68-57, 73-53, 22-87, 1-116 (91) and 70-20.
Former Pakistan player Saleh Mohammad eased past Iran’s Aamir Sarkosh 4-1.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Yuttapop Pakpoj was involved in a tough seven-frame encounter against Iran’s Ehsan Heydarinezhad (Iran) but eventually won 4-3 while China’s Wang Yuchin won with a similar scoreline against Syria’s Karam Fatima.
In another match, Thailand’s PaBoonyarit Kaettikun beat Shahid Aftab 4-1, while local Babar Masih enjoyed two victories to keep his hopes alive of moving into the next round.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2013.